Intercultural communication

Intercultural communication (or cross-cultural communication) is a discipline

that studies communication across different cultures and social groups, or how
culture affects communication. It describes the wide range of communication
processes and problems that naturally appear within an organization or social
context made up of individuals from different religious, social, ethnic, and
educational backgrounds. In this sense it seeks to understand how people from
different countries and cultures act, communicate and perceivethe world around
them. Many people in intercultural business communication argue that culture
determines how individuals encode messages, what medium they choose for
transmitting them, and the way messages are interpreted.[1]
With regard to intercultural communication proper, it studies situations where
people from different cultural backgrounds interact. Aside from language,
intercultural communication focuses on social attributes, thought patterns, and the
cultures of different groups of people. It also involves understanding the different
cultures, languages and customs of people from other countries. Intercultural
communication plays a role in social sciences such as anthropology, cultural
studies, linguistics, psychology and communication studies. Intercultural
communication is also referred to as the base for international businesses. Several
cross-cultural service providers assist with the development of intercultural
communication skills. Research is a major part of the development of intercultural
communication skills.[2][3]
Identity and culture are also studied within the discipline of communication to
analyze how globalization influences ways of thinking, beliefs, values, and
identity, within and between cultural environments. Intercultural communication
scholars approach theory with a dynamic outlook and do not believe culture can be
measured nor that cultures share universal attributes. Scholars acknowledge that
culture and communication shift along with societal changes and theories should
consider the constant shifting and nuances of society.
The study of intercultural communication requires intercultural understanding,
which is an ability to understand and value cultural differences. Language is an
example of an important cultural component that is linked to intercultural
understanding.[4] Intercultural communication is in a way the 'interaction with
speakers of other languages on equal terms and respecting their identities'.